Genre: Publication Date: August 15, 2015 Published By: Wise Ink Creative Publishing Website The Last of the Firedrakes on Goodreads My review copy: Netgalley in return for honest review
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Synopsis
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
(Goodreads)Quotes
I felt like my life had just shattered all over again. My parents wre gone, my uncle had just sold me like a slave, and there was no one to help me, no one on my side. I was alone, I was in trouble, and I had absolutely no idea what to do.
I nodded. I was still utterly confused, but somehow I felt a little relieved. At least I finally knew who I really was.
I had to stop running. I had to turn and face my life head on. It wasn't enough being like everybody else; I had to be the best, and I was going to show everybody what I was truly made of.
My Thoughts
The Last of the Firedrakes was a surprise read for me. I am fairly picky when it comes to fantasy but the synopsis and the cover told me that I had to give this one a try. Knowing that you should never judge a book by its cover, I did prepare myself for a possible disappointment. The synopsis that also pulled me in (though exciting), did not prepare me for just how action packed this book would be.
This is one of those books that is really hard to review without giving too much away. So much happens so quickly. Not saying that the book was rushed, but more that Oomerbhoy managed to gracefully fit more information than I thought possible into a book, and still managed to not information dump everything. What you end up reading is a story that has a quicker pace and constant evolution, leaving very little room for boredom. Heck, it left very little time for me to want to put it down (overnight shift=cleaning lots=cleaning as little as possible with book). I couldn't have been more pleased.
What I enjoyed the most was probably how much detail was put into each character and the setting, without it all being given up at once. Things change, people change, scenery changes and you get all of it. Not pages and pages of it but beautiful descriptions and details that help you imagine the world, and also build upon your current view. This book is like the canvas that you can't look away from with all of its beautiful colours and changing patterns. There are many characters that you meet throughout the book, and yet you never will find yourself overloaded by any of them. Each one will make their own impression and each will stick with you in their own way.
When it comes to our heroine I really enjoyed her. Aurora kind of reminded me of Cinderella for a bit. The girl taken on by snotty people that really didn't want anything to do with her, and realistically beyond not doing all the chores she kind of was. She also sucked it up and knew that she wouldn't be there forever. Aurora is a strong character and I often loved her but occasionally when she would start jumping the gun or trusting really easy I found myself getting slightly irritated. Meaning I was questioning certain people and could not figure out why she did not. As well as the couple times she decided not to voice something... Something against someone who had done something!! This, this irritated me. However, this being said these moments were not frequent.
There is so much more that I wish I could tell you, but so much can be ruined in a simple sentence. This is really a book you need to pick up and read, really experience it for yourself. If you are a fantasy fan this is basically a must read. Hesitant about fantasy? Well, give it a go because it really is a vivid adventure that you do not want to miss. My hat comes off to Farah Oomerbhoy for creating such a vivid world, packed with action and unforgettable characters.
About the Author
For Farah Oomerbhoy, writing is a passion and reading her solace. She is a firm believer in the fantastic and magical, and often dreams of living in Narnia, Neverland, or the Enchanted Forest.
Farah lives with her husband and three children in their family home in Mumbai, India. She has a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Mumbai. Her first novel, The Last of the Firedrakes, Book 1 of the Avalonia Chronicles will be published worldwide in August 2015.
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